Sintra Resources & Links

Now this took some time! We believe we’ve compiled the most comprehensive list of resources related to Sintra on the web. Feel free to contact us if you want something adding (or removing).

Prehistory

Further information about prehistoric sites and prehistory in Portugal can be found at http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/portugal.htm

Chronology timeline of habitation and events pre 1500 AD in Sintra http://www.serradesintra.net/en/cronologia-sintrense/cronologia-antes-de-1500

There are a variety of megalithic structures around Sintra, due to the fact it has been continuously inhabited from at least the middle stone age approx 8000 BC – 4000 BC) . For a full listing visit http://www.ancient-wisdom.com/portuguese%20megaliths.htm to review Lisboa region.

The Sao Miguel Odrinhas archaeological museum houses the megalithic sanctuary of Monte da Barreira, comprising a large number of man made abutments and menhirs. The archaeological section covers the mid Palaeolithic (500,000 BC – 8000 BC) to the modern age, particularly concentrating on prehistoric eras and the Romans, see http://www.cm-sintra.pt/en/museums/sao-miguel-odrinhas-archaeological-museum

One of the most beautiful bronze age gold jewellery items ever found in western Europe, was the Sintra Gold Collar, now displayed in the British Museum https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sintra_Collar

The Anta de Adrenunes was believed to be a burial chamber through the megalithic period located close to Sintra but a difficult walk to access http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=36054

Romans

The Sao Miguel Odrinhas archaeological museum houses the ruins of the Roman villa of São Miguel de Odrinhas. The archaeological section covers the mid Palaeolithic (500,000 BC – 8000 BC) to the modern age, particularly concentrating on prehistoric eras and the Romans, see http://www.cm-sintra.pt/en/museums/sao-miguel-odrinhas-archaeological-museum

Find a listing of the Roman sites around Sintra/Lisbon on this site

https://translate.google.co.uk/translate?hl=en&sl=pt&u=http://www.portugalromano.com/site/santuario-romano-ao-soli-et-lunae/&prev=search

The Roman ruins of a villa can be found near Colares see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_villa_of_Santo_André_de_Almoçageme

The Roman history on the Iberian peninsula is detailed on http://www.travel-in-portugal.com/history/ancient.htm

Further full history of people’s entering Portugal is described on http://www.golisbon.com/culture/history.html

Moors

Overlooking Sintra see the Moorish fortification from the 8th century at Castelo dos Mouros https://www.visitportugal.com/en/NR/exeres/C796FDC8-4D00-4AB0-88E1-29999C190724

Further information on the moorish occupation can be found on http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=37360

Further images of the castle of the moors can be seen on http://visionsofthepastblog.com/2013/05/13/castle-of-the-moors-sintra-portugal/

One couples take on the Moorish castle in Sintra http://travelationship.com/magical-midevil-sintra-portugal/

More facts about the history of the Moors in Sintra http://www.thenational.ae/lifestyle/travel/myths-and-history-unfold-in-castles-among-sintras-mountains

Medieval

There are many medieval fairs and events throughout Portugal here are some listings http://mercadomedieval.pt

and view at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyNhmR10J9o

You can find many interesting academic papers on Sintras architecture on this site https://www.academia.edu/people/search?utf8=✓&q=+sintra#Papers

More details of the medieval history of Sintra can be found on http://www.manorhouses.com/unesco/whsintra.html

18th / 19th century

The history of the many romantic and whimisical palaces built during the 18/19th century is on http://www.sintraromantica.net/en/2015-01-16-15-58-53/history

Listings of the palaces built on a historical timeline in Sintra can be found on http://www.britannica.com/place/Sintra

Key dates and facts about the built environment are also contained on http://worldheritage.routes.travel/world-heritage-site/cultural-landscape-of-sintra/ and http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/723

Modern

Portugal has a very interesting political history during the 20th century with the end of their monarchy and the beginning of their republic in 1910, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Portuguese_history_(Fourth_Dynasty)#20th_century

Sintra region

This site provides details of all the areas of note around Sintra http://www.cm-sintra.pt/en/landscape

View the area around Sintra at http://www.maplandia.com/portugal/lisboa-e-vale-do-tejo/grande-lisboa/sintra/sintra/

Discover sintra at  http://www.commdiginews.com/travel/sintra-portugals-delightful-undiscovered-hillside-village-12275/

and  http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2013/aug/02/sintra-portugal-atlantic-coast-travel

Towns

For a listing of all towns within 13km of Sintra see http://www.travelmath.com/cities-near/Sintra,+Portugal

Villages

Beautiful terracota roofed villages around Sintra https://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sintra+villages&qpvt=sintra+villages&qpvt=sintra+villages&FORM=IGRE

Famous food

Good eateries in Sintra reviewed at http://theculturetrip.com/europe/portugal/articles/the-10-best-restaurants-in-sintra/

and http://www.lonelyplanet.com/portugal/lisbon/sintra/restaurants

For famous pastries in Sintra read http://casadovalle.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/as-i-have-mentioned-before-i-frequently.html

Famous Sintra cheesecakes http://www.thekitchn.com/queijadas-de-sintra-sintra-che-77981 and make them yourself at http://easyportugueserecipes.com/queijadas-de-sintra/

Travesseiros more pastry…….http://cafepatita.net/en/portuguese-almond-puffs-travesseiros/

Bars

Full listing of bars http://lisbon.angloinfo.com/af/529/bars.html

Palaces & castles

National palace of Sintra at http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/national-palace-of-sintra/

Pena palace at http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/park-and-national-palace-of-pena/

Quinta da Regaleira at http://www.cultursintra.pt/Default.aspx

Palace of Monserrate at http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/park-and-palace-of-monserrate/

Castle of the Moors at http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-and-monuments/moorish-castle/

Seteais palace (now a hotel) at http://www.tivolihotels.com/pt/hoteis/sintra/tivoli-palacio-de-seteais/o-hotel.aspx

Ramalhao palace http://eventseeker.com/venue/156770-ramalhão-palace-sintra

Views on the palaces/castles http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/sintra.html

Museums

Modern art museum http://www.cm-sintra.pt/musa-museu-das-artes-de-sintra

Natural history museum http://www.cm-sintra.pt/en/museums/sintras-natural-history-museum

Further museums such as air and living science http://www.cm-sintra.pt/en/museums

Parks and gardens

The main national park details for Sintra are listed here http://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/

Events calendar for the national parks http://www.visitcascais.com/en/events-calendar/january-in-sintra-parks-and-monuments/567820C6A2FD9

Pena park in the Sintra mountains http://www.serradesintra.net/en/parque-da-pena

Famous people

Lord Byron one of the most famous visitors to Sintra http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/717169/Christopher-Somerville-discovers-why-Byron-raved-about-Sintra.html

Healthcare

Accessing healthcare in Sintra read http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcareabroad/countryguide/Pages/healthcareinPortugal.aspx

Portuguese healthcare facts http://www.livinginportugal.com/en/living-in-portugal/healthcare/

More advice at http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-portugal-healthcare-medical

Hospitals in Sintra http://www.hospitalby.com/portugal-hospital/queluz-hospital/

Useful hospital/doctors tel no’s http://www.ezportugal.com/sintra-portugal/information-sintra-portugal/useful-contacts-sintra-portugal

Dentist listing for Sintra http://www.whatclinic.com/dentists/portugal/sintra

Shopping

Types of goods available http://www.portugalwanderer.com/shopping-in-sintra/

Markets in Sintra http://casadovalle.blogspot.co.uk/2011/11/markets-great-fun-and-surprising-finds.html

Main shopping centre in Sintra is http://www.forumsintra.com/home

Nearby shopping centre at Cascais http://www.cascaishopping.pt

Sintra bazar selling artisan local products http://www.sintrabazar.com

Weekend getaways

A review of Sintra visit http://blog.uniplaces.com/sintra-guide-first-timers/

and guide on what to do at http://www.madhouseheaven.com/magical-weekend-getaway-in-sintra

For women solo travellers a guide http://somethinginherramblings.com/sintra-portugal/

Bike hire

If you want an electric bike to see the sights try http://www.parkebike.com/rentals.html

For hire and bike tours try http://www.cycling-rentals.com/bikes–parts.html#.VpebTTY4P8s

A bit about biking in Sintra http://casadovalle.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/continuing-on-theme-of-bike-rentals-in.html

Full listing of bike hire for Portugal  http://pedalportugal.com/directory-links/bike-hire/

Scooter hire in Sintra http://www.sintramagikscooter.com

Beaches

The nearest beach to Sintra at 12km is Praia da Adraga one of the best beaches in Portugal see http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/may/12/best-beaches-in-portugal

Another popular beach near Sintra/Lisbon http://www.top10portugal.com/praia-macas-beach-lisbon

Reviews of a listing of nearby beaches http://casadovalle.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/the-beaches-of-sintra.html

As Sintra is in Lisbon region this has a good listing of close beaches http://lisbonbeaches.com/index.html

Maps

Good map to use for planning http://www.viamichelin.co.uk/web/Maps/Map-Sintra-_-Lisboa-Portugal?strLocid=31NDF5am4xMGNNemd1TnprNE5EWT1jTFRrdU16ZzRNUT09

Easily download a map of Sintra http://www.placesonline.com/europe/portugal/sintra/map.asp

and http://www.maphill.com/search/sintra/road-map/

http://www.maplandia.com/portugal/lisboa-e-vale-do-tejo/grande-lisboa/sintra/sintra/ shows area around Sintra

A good streetplan http://www.openstreetmap.org/#map=18/38.79776/-9.39032

Local Council

Sintra council on http://www.cm-sintra.pt/en/

Useful tel no’s police, fire service, tourist office etc http://www.portugal-info.net/lisboncoast/sintra.htm

Tourist information offices http://www.cm-sintra.pt/en/tourist-information-offices/tourist-information-offices

Transport links

Trains/buses http://lisbon.angloinfo.com/information/transport/public-transport/regional-bus-services/

Trains from Lisbon http://www.thetrainline-europe.com/train/lisboa-rossio-lisbon-to-sintra~9400071~9400582